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Article (August 2006): Upstarts' Agenda is left wide open Evening Herald Business Section 2 August 2006.  A new networking group has started in Plymouth - with its founder members claiming that it will be a radically different type of entity. The main reason for this is because the group will not be organised, has no fees, no timetable of meetings, no set venue and no pre-arranged subject matter for discussion.  Instead, the group, called the Upstarts' Club, will grow 'organically' with membership spreading through word of mouth, meetings set up when members want to get together and discussing whatever is on their minds. The Upstarts have already met for the first time, at the Rose and Crown at Yealmpton, where 12 businessmen and women from a range of sectors got together.

Kate Baber, from IT firm Integrem said: "The only way I can have an influence on things is by joining other organisations like this. I used to get frustrated hearing people saying that small businesses can't get involved. They can have their say if they work collectively."  The Upstarts' Club was the brainchild of Sue Windley of Pragmatic Performance Management, who sees it as a venue for the next generation of the city's business leaders to meet. "Entrepreneurialism is a state of mind and the type of people with that aim don't conform," she said. "If they try to work from a set agenda, it doesn't work. This is about people who see things differently and want to push the limits. This is about businesspeople coming together to share ideas. It's a chance for them to talk and to bounce ideas off each other." For the full article, go to Evening Herald.

Article (July 2006): Lax UK wastes £70 billion a year Sunday Times 9 July 2006 (by David Smith, Economics Editor).  British business wastes £70 billion a year in “unproductive time” — hours that could be used to raise output if workers were managed efficiently — according to a new study conducted by Proudfoot.  It assessed performance on the basis of whether firms achieve 85% labour efficiency (regarded as the practical maximum) - British firms achieved less than two-thirds of maximum efficiency, 36.6% of working hours being wasted over the 2003-5 period.

“No company can achieve 100% labour efficiency all of the time but experience shows that 85% is a realistic upper threshold,” said Simon Glynn, Proudfoot’s chief operating officer. “To achieve this, a business needs firm chief-executive support and a mix of clear, consistent strategy, management ability, work systems, technology use, people supervision, motivation and commitment. Amazingly, a considerable percentage of executives say they have no plan to address this: almost a quarter of those we surveyed, a third in the UK, have no current action plan. And those in the UK that do set targets are less ambitious than those in competitor economies.”  Unproductive time in UK firms is the equivalent of giving workers several weeks additional paid holiday a year, the report says. The lost output of £70 billion a year equates to 6% of gross domestic product.  For the full article, go to Sunday Times.

Article (July 2006): Sue's Fresh Jobs Idea Evening Herald Business Section 4 July 2006.  A city entrepreneur is branching out with an idea which it is hoped will see new businesses and jobs created in Plymouth.  Sue Windley, co-director of Pragmatic Performance Management Ltd, is organising the first ever Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp in November during National Enterprise Week.  The initiative - which is being organised as a competition - aims to put Plymouth on the map as a hotbed for entrepreneurs.

Born in Surrey and having lived in Surrey, St Austell, Germany, Edinburgh and Portsmouth - to name just a few locations - why does Sue feel the need to help boost Plymouth's economic future?  "Plymouth has a huge amount of potential," said the 42-year-old, who moved to Plymouth in 2001.  "When you have spent time in capital cities and other cities of its size, you realise that Plymouth has such a huge spirit that is yet to be truly realised. There are more than 50 Plymouths around the world - this city helped find the world. If only we could find some of that pioneering attitude now we would leap forward."

Sue said the idea for the bootcamp originated about two years ago during a conversation with her business partner, Carolyn Story. The idea was further fueled during a further conversation with another of Plymouth's key business figures, Richard George of Goss Interactive - who believed successful entrepreneurs often have military backgrounds.  Fitting then really that city businesses - and most notably the Royal Marines - are lending their support to the unique scheme.

The idea has also generated interest from both Channel 4 and Channel 5, although neither could eventually commit to filming a series.  The bootcamp will see 12 of the city's most talented entrepreneurs put through a gruelling five-day initiative aimed at giving them five years' worth of business experience in just five days between November 13 and 17.  The experiences will include introducing them to financial figures to discuss funding, and showing them the benefits of success - and the feelings of failure as well as other aspects of business life.  This will be followed up by 12 months of business mentoring and support aimed at giving them the best possible chance of success.

Local employers are now being invited to get involved in the event and sponsor entrepreneurs whose ideas range from graphic design to inventions and IT products.  The competition hopes to attract around 70 candidates and, round by round, they will be whittled down to 12.  So far The Millfields Trust, Rok and Goss Interactive - as well as many others - have agreed to sponsor people.

"The bootcamp will be about getting underneath the skin of these entrepreneurs and find out how they tick," Sue said.  "We will be getting them to analyse themselves because if you want to be at the leading edge you need to know your strengths and weaknesses.  If you have that ability and knowledge about yourself - twinned with the determination and drive to succeed - it can only create a winning formula."

It is hoped the initiative will be rolled out across the country in years to come.  The setting up of a 'grass roots' bootcamp-style initiative to nurture entrepreneurship in Plymouth is something which Sue believes will ultimately help to address problems in the city.  The City Growth Strategy was launched in the last 1990s because it was widely felt across the city that Plymouth's economy was not performing as well as it could be.  It was also believed that the city had low levels of small business growth.

Instead of simply having Government funds thrown at it, the city decided to work on and adopt such a strategy following hugely successful pilots in America.  Plymouth was selected as one of just a handful of cities to trial the initiative in this country.  A few years later, the strategy took on the role of the Plymouth Business Growth Project which, in turn, led to the setting up of a series of action teams focusing on various sectors including maritime, new media and financial services.  One of the teams was the entrepreneur action team, which in 2005 appointed Sue Windley as its chair.  The ideas - including the bootcamp idea - flowed soon after.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp, telephone Sue Windley on 07810 650263.  Alternatively email sue.windley@pragmaticpm.com This article is also available at the Evening Herald or download Article

Article (June 2006): Laughter is the perfect tonic for presentation workshop. Western Morning News Thursday June 8 2006: Charlie Chaplin insisted laughter was the best tonic relief and surcease for pain.  Now a West country business management specialist is promoting the laughter recipe as the best device to make lasting, positive impressions.  South Devon-based Pragmatic Performance Management (PPM) has joined forces with stand-up comedian Douglas Mounce for two special workshops.  Held at the Cornwall Business School in Redruth on June 21 and 28, Stand Up to Present saw PPM director Sue Windley and Mr Mounce combining business presentation techniques with comedy routines to help people understand what makes audiences listen and how to overcome the fear of public speaking through practising delivery techniques and comedy timing.

Ms Windley said: "The whole workshop works on the basic principle that you remember much more when laughter is involved, which in turn accelerates the learning process.  For businesses this means that new skills and knowledge can be applied much more quickly and to greater effect."  The addition of Mr Mounce, who is also a presenter on BBC Radio, means the comedy training comes from someone who has been there and done it.  "Often when people arrive they are incredibly shy and terrified to speak in front of an audience let alone be funny," said Mr Mounce.  "But once relaxed they find they have quite a gift for comedy." Download Picture & Article

Article (May 2006): Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ stomps into Tamar Science Park The Tamar Science Park backed the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in the latest edition of Parklife.  The TSP be hosting the final stage of the Competition and some of the events during the five day Bootcamp.  TSP Chief Executive Nigel Halford said "We fully support this groundbreaking initiative which sits so neatly with what we are doing here in providing a supporting and conducive environment for the development of innovative ideas and the creation of new business." Read more about the TSP's exciting developments, go to TSP.  If want to know more about the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, contact PPM Ltd for further information.

Article (May 2006): Women owned businesses on the rise According to Aurora (Europe's leading network for the economic advancement of corporate and entrepreneurial women), the UK currently has circa 1 million women-run firms, contributing over £130 billion to the economy. The level of women's business knowledge is also rising significantly and Aurora is seeing more women reaching a £1 million turnover much sooner than they did a few years ago. The average turnover of a UK small business is £578,000.  For further information on this and other women in business articles, go to Aurora Voice

Information Update (April 2006): Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ launched in Plymouth The Plymouth Business Growth (PBG) project hosted the launch of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in Plymouth at a business breakfast on Wednesday 26 April. Peter Norris, Project Manager for the PBG project said "We have been seeking ideas that have the vision to promote the profile of Plymouth as a place inspiring ideas, enterprise, creativity, hard work and success.  There are plenty of examples of leading enterprise and businesses in Plymouth, but the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is by far the most original and innovative approach we have seen, which is why the project (along with many local businesses) are giving it our full support.”

The breakfast featured Plymouth Entrepreneur Richard George, MD of Goss Interactive, which is the UK's leading supplier of Enterprise Content Management solutions.  Goss Interactive have been growing so successfully that in 2005 they won a place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards for a second consecutive year.  Richard shared his ideas about what makes a business successful and why he is supporting the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ as a sponsor.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a participant in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, contact PPM Ltd for further information or download sponsorship form.

Article (April 2006): Evening Herald backs Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ The Evening Herald, the voice of Plymouth lends their support to the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competition and event.  Bill Martin, editor of the Evening Herald said:  "This is just what Plymouth needs.  The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ will allow anybody with the guts and determination to succeed to have a shot at launching their business idea.  We want more opportunities like this for the business people in this city to showcase their fantastic ideas and opportunities."

The Evening Herald will feature articles and interviews about the people taking part in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competition, well as providing the latest news on what is happening with all aspects of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.  Read Business Reporter Liz Parks' article about the launch in April here.  

Further details on the dates of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competition and 5-Day event can be obtained from PPM Ltd or by checking the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ website.

Article (April 2006): South West's Leading IP Practitioner supports Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ Noel Akers, one of Europe's leading practitioners of intellectual property (IP) law, is to participate in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ to ensure participants' innovative ideas get protected.  He is generously donating his time to be available throughout the competition stages as well as the 5-day immersion event, so that even if people do not win through to the final 12, they will have the chance to learn the basics about safe-guarding their intellectual property rights.

Noel said "There's certainly no shortage of innovation and good ideas down here and the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is an excellent way to get new ideas off the ground. And innovative ideas need to be properly protected - which is our kind of expertise comes in.  I am delighted to be involved in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, to play my part helping these new businesses get the launch and support they deserve."  Further information about the work that Noel and his team undertake is available by downloading his company's brochure or going to the N J Akers & Co website. Read more about Noel at the Cornwall Pure Business website.

Article (March 2006): Protect Yourself from "Energy Vampires at Work" An article on the American Management Association website focuses on "Energy Vampires" - how our relationships at work are influenced by our colleagues - some can inspire and energize us, while others suck the life right out of us.   Dr Judith Orloff provides descriptions of various workplace energy vampires and strategies for "escaping their bites":  how to handle the "Sob Sister" or the "Fixer Upper".  Download the "Energy Vampires" article here or go to the AMA website.

Information Update (March 2006): The Hub launched the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in Cornwall.  The Hub loves a challenge.  We recently managed to do up the Velcro on our shoes in 12 seconds flat – the Guinness Book of Records was mightily impressed, and so is everyone we tell.  We also like to create little challenges for our beloved Hubbers, so here’s your chance to get involved in a new and exciting project that aims to eclipse the Apprentice and Dragons’ Den. 

On the evening of Thursday March 30 at Fowey Hall Hotel, Sue Windley from Pragmatic Performance Management launched the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.   Ready for launch in the spring of 2006, the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is a radically new approach to nurturing and establishing new entrepreneurs in business.

For further updates and information from The Hub and its support for the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ in Cornwall, go to The Hub Forum.

Information Update (March 2006): The IoD calls for cut in Corporation Tax.  As part of its 2006 Budget submission, the Institute of Directors (IoD) called on the Government to cut Corporation Tax by two per cent, this, it claims, will stimulate economic activity and boost the competitiveness of the UK economy.  Miles Templeman, Director General of the IoD, said: “The time is right to make a two per cent cut in Corporation Tax, we have made the calculations and there is clear scope to make this reduction.  The corporate tax advantages once enjoyed in the UK have slipped over the last few years and major economies such as Germany, France and Italy have all reduced their rates whilst ours has remained the same.  The UK corporate tax rate is now above the OECD average.  If we are to remain competitive we must act now.” Click on Press Release and IoD's full Budget Submission for more information.

Driving Leadership Skills (February 2006): Business leaders attended events hosted by Carr's Audi to hear about the latest opportunities in Cornwall to boost their business performance and how to get funding to support this initiative.

The events, organised by Business Link Devon & Cornwall and the Institute of Directors, included presentations from Sue Windley of the Institute of Directors, Jim Seligman from Cornwall Business School and Stephen Murphy from Business Link.

"Every successful business understands the need for updating the skills of its people to maintain its success and adapt to change," said Sue Windley. "Highly skilled and motivated people are the only true competitive advantage that a business has, which is increasingly vital in today's competitive market. Thanks to the PACE programme run by Business Link, directors in the south west can access financial support to enable them to update and build on the skills necessary to lead their businesses forward." CBS Archive Page

Article (November 2005): CIM Shape the Agenda: The Marketer and the Law article, published November 2005.  For further discussion documents and ideas, go to CIM: Shape the Agenda

Article (November 2005): National Enterprise Week Emphasis is on enterprise article by Liz Parks, Evening Herald, published 15th November 2005.  Download the original article.

Article (November 2005): National Enterprise Week Tough Test for Top Business Brains article by Liz Parks, Evening Herald, published 14th November 2005 on the launch of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp.  Download the original article.

Article (January 2005): Director Development: Are we leading by example? article by Sue Windley, IoD Professional Development Officer.  Published in IoD South West magazine Winter 2004/2005.

Article (April 2004): Disability Rights Commission - Making websites that are easy for everyone to use article published April 2004 by the DRC.  For further information and updates from the DRC, go to Disability Rights Commission